General StudiesBachelor of General Studies

Get credit for what you already know.

Multiply your potential.

A bachelor degree in General Studies provides opportunities to develop valuable, lifelong skills in oral and written communication; critical thinking and problem-solving; evaluation, analysis, synthesis, and more. It’s a curriculum that establishes a core of knowledge, which can lead to many different careers, or lay the groundwork for further studies and specialization.

Overview

Baker’s General Studies program is an online program designed for working professionals who have significant work experience, previous college credit, and want to earn a bachelor’s degree.

In this interdisciplinary program, you work with an academic advisor to create an individualized plan of study based on your past education, career goals, intellectual interests, or preparation for graduate education.

Upon graduation, you’ll be prepared to enter the professional world, or to continue your education with a postgraduate certificate or graduate degree.

Course Information

The General Studies Bachelor degree program is made up of elective, concentration, and general education credits. Of the 108 hours required in the elective credit and concentration areas, a minimum of 32 hours of 300 and 400 level courses are required.

Elective Credit — 60 credit hours

Concentration I — 24 credit hours

Concentration II — 24 credit hours

General Education Requirements74 Hours

Course Number

Course Title

Credit Hours

COL 491

2 Quarter Hours

Provides assistance to students in the preparation of a final portfolio which demonstrates professional and personal growth during students' academic careers. Students provide documentation from courses and work experience to develop a portfolio demonstrating how they have met the criteria for each institutional student learning outcome. This is the capstone course for the Bachelor of General Studies for the Online campus only. The final portfolio will be assessed by Baker College professionals to evaluate if the student has proven competency in the institutional student learning outcomes.

See General Education Electives List - Personal and Social Environments Electives (Bachelor Degree)

Personal and Social Environments Elective

4

ELECT 141B

4 Quarter Hours

See General Education Electives List - Personal and Social Environments Electives (Bachelor Degree)

Personal and Social Environments Elective

4

ELECT 161A

2 Quarter Hours

See General Information Elective List - Computer Literacy Electives.

Computer Literacy Elective

2

ELECT 161B

2 Quarter Hours

See General Information Elective List - Computer Literacy Electives.

Computer Literacy Elective

2

ELECT 161C

2 Quarter Hours

See General Information Elective List - Computer Literacy Electives.

Computer Literacy Elective

2

ENG 101

4 Quarter Hours

Emphasizes academic writing by reading and thinking critically to strengthen essential communication skills through the use of the writing process. Various assignments focus on summary and response, analysis, and informative writing. Research practices and research writing in APA style are essential to the course.

Continues developing students' critical thinking and writing skills through reading and argumentative writing. Emphasizes academic writing to articulate the relationships among language, knowledge, and power. Various assignments focus on position, argument analysis, and argumentative proposal. Research practices and research writing in APA style are essential to the course.

Prerequisite(s):C or better in ENG 101 or placement exam and approved writing sample.

Composition II

4

HUM 401A

4 Quarter Hours

Identifies and analyzes ethical situations in modern society. Examines the philosophical foundations for personal and professional ethics.

Prerequisite(s):ENG 102

Philosophy of Ethics

4

INF 161

2 Quarter Hours

Explores timely social, legal, philosophical, ethical, political, constitutional, and economic implications of computing and technology. Coverage of the issues related to a technological society including social networking, privacy topics such as cameras in cell phones, access to our search queries and all sorts of data we put on the Web, social networking, location tracking, high-tech surveillance systems, intellectual property, professional ethics and responsibilities, and crime.

Technology and Society

2

SOC 321

4 Quarter Hours

Examines the social construction of groups based on race, ethnicity and national origin, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation, and able-bodiedness. Sociological (as well as psychological, historical, economic, and anthropological) perspectives are applied to concepts such as prejudice, stereotyping, discrimination, racial and ethnic identity, racial formation, power and privilege, assimilation and pluralism, and tolerance. Emphasis is on increasing knowledge, personal awareness, and sensitivity.

Cultural Diversity

4

SPK 201

4 Quarter Hours

Develops confidence and skill in many facets of oral communication. Students explore diverse topics and formats, using both organization and research to support themselves during oral presentations.

Oral Communication

4

Select 1 Course from the Following

Course Number

Course Title

Credit Hours

MTH 108

4 Quarter Hours

Solves contemporary, real-world problems by mathematical reasoning utilizing concepts from algebra, finance, and statistics. Key topics include personal finance, mathematical models, functions and relations, dimensional analysis, statistical reasoning, and Euclidean geometry. This class focuses on quantitative literacy and the application of the above concepts in a variety of professional disciplines.

Examines more advanced elements of algebra emphasizing the use of algebra and functions in problem solving and modeling. Key topics include functions, inverse functions, complex numbers, rational functions, logarithms, exponential functions, conic sections, sequences and series. Graphing is by recognition and transformation rather than by plotting points.

Prerequisite(s):C or better in MTH 111.

College Algebra

4

Select 1 Course from the Following

Course Number

Course Title

Credit Hours

PSY 101

4 Quarter Hours

Provides a foundation for understanding human relations with applications to both personal and professional growth. Focus is on examining the basic dynamics of human relations, how social influences shape thought and behavior, effective ways to develop skills of human relations, and the importance of multicultural competency within human relations.

Human Relations

4

PSY 111

4 Quarter Hours

Provides a foundation of knowledge in psychology examining key topics related to understanding human thoughts and behavior. Topics include an exploration of factors that influence thoughts and behavior, psychology as a science, sensation/perception, motivation, emotion, memory, cognition, personality, as well as key figures, research, and theories within psychology. Applying concepts to real-life settings is a focus throughout the course.

General Psychology

4

Select 1 Course from the Following

Course Number

Course Title

Credit Hours

SPK 211

4 Quarter Hours

Prepares students to work effectively in groups. Students will collaborate to complete a group project and multiple presentations. Course content covers key concepts of group dynamics such as diversity, group roles, ethical issues, and conflict resolution. Students will hone group communication skills and effectively use technology to communicate with group members.

Practices individual formal presentations in a business context. The format includes a variety of speaking situations such as parliamentary procedure, briefings, sales, formal and informal discussions, and formal report presentations.

Prerequisite(s):SPK 201.

Professional Speaking

4

Quarter Hours Required for Graduation

182

Program Description

The General Studies program is an online program designed for the working professional who has significant work experience, previous college credit and desires to earn a bachelor's degree. An academic advisor and student work together to combine various disciplines resulting in an individualized plan of study based on past education, career goals, intellectual interests, or preparation for graduate education.

As a graduate of Baker College, you are eligible for our Lifetime Employment Services, which include:

Job searching techniques

Resume and cover letter assistance

Job interview questions

Job postings

Relocation tips

Is Baker College Online accredited?

Baker Online is part of Baker College, a private, non-profit, accredited, degree granting, higher educational institution with locations throughout Michigan.

As an accredited college, Baker College has been granted legal authority by the state of Michigan to operate as a nonprofit educational corporation and is empowered to grant certificates, associate, bachelor, master, and doctoral degrees. It is approved for veterans’ benefits. Baker College is recognized as an institution of higher education by the U.S. Secretary of Education, U.S. Department of Education.

After you enroll, and are accepted to your online program, you sign-up, or "register" for your first courses. Like all Baker Online students, you will begin your online experience with a three-week online class designed to orient you to the Baker Online classroom, and review the expectations and requirements of Baker Online students. When you have completed this course successfully, you can move on to additional online courses.

Program Availability

Program availability varies by campus. Please contact the Admissions Department on your campus to learn more.

General Requirements

A general education core is required for all Associate and Bachelor degrees. All graduates must meet the general education requirements established by each academic program.

College Success Strategies (COL111A) or College Success Online (COL112) is required for all first-time undergraduate freshmen and all online students enrolled in a certificate or degree program. This course will inform students of campus services, policies and procedures, and address learning styles and study strategies.

Many of the courses and programs at Baker College are offered in an online delivery format. See Online Programs. Contact your campus Academic / Administrative Office for details about online courses.

Getting Started

There's a lot you can learn about Baker College here on the Web, but talking with an admissions advisor will help you get a better understanding of everything we offer. Contact us to request more information, schedule a visit to the campus nearest you, or get started by applying online.

General StudiesBachelor of General Studies

Get credit for what you already know.

Multiply your potential.

A bachelor degree in General Studies provides opportunities to develop valuable, lifelong skills in oral and written communication; critical thinking and problem-solving; evaluation, analysis, synthesis, and more. It’s a curriculum that establishes a core of knowledge, which can lead to many different careers, or lay the groundwork for further studies and specialization.

Career Facts

+$4,000

More with a bachelor’s degree after 10 years.

12%

Estimated employment increase by 2022 for those with a bachelor degree

Baker’s General Studies program is an online program designed for working professionals who have significant work experience, previous college credit, and want to earn a bachelor’s degree.

In this interdisciplinary program, you work with an academic advisor to create an individualized plan of study based on your past education, career goals, intellectual interests, or preparation for graduate education.

Upon graduation, you’ll be prepared to enter the professional world, or to continue your education with a postgraduate certificate or graduate degree.

The General Studies Bachelor degree program is made up of elective, concentration, and general education credits. Of the 108 hours required in the elective credit and concentration areas, a minimum of 32 hours of 300 and 400 level courses are required.

Provides assistance to students in the preparation of a final portfolio which demonstrates professional and personal growth during students' academic careers. Students provide documentation from courses and work experience to develop a portfolio demonstrating how they have met the criteria for each institutional student learning outcome. This is the capstone course for the Bachelor of General Studies for the Online campus only. The final portfolio will be assessed by Baker College professionals to evaluate if the student has proven competency in the institutional student learning outcomes.

Emphasizes academic writing by reading and thinking critically to strengthen essential communication skills through the use of the writing process. Various assignments focus on summary and response, analysis, and informative writing. Research practices and research writing in APA style are essential to the course.

Continues developing students' critical thinking and writing skills through reading and argumentative writing. Emphasizes academic writing to articulate the relationships among language, knowledge, and power. Various assignments focus on position, argument analysis, and argumentative proposal. Research practices and research writing in APA style are essential to the course.

Prerequisite(s):C or better in ENG 101 or placement exam and approved writing sample.

Explores timely social, legal, philosophical, ethical, political, constitutional, and economic implications of computing and technology. Coverage of the issues related to a technological society including social networking, privacy topics such as cameras in cell phones, access to our search queries and all sorts of data we put on the Web, social networking, location tracking, high-tech surveillance systems, intellectual property, professional ethics and responsibilities, and crime.

Examines the social construction of groups based on race, ethnicity and national origin, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation, and able-bodiedness. Sociological (as well as psychological, historical, economic, and anthropological) perspectives are applied to concepts such as prejudice, stereotyping, discrimination, racial and ethnic identity, racial formation, power and privilege, assimilation and pluralism, and tolerance. Emphasis is on increasing knowledge, personal awareness, and sensitivity.

Solves contemporary, real-world problems by mathematical reasoning utilizing concepts from algebra, finance, and statistics. Key topics include personal finance, mathematical models, functions and relations, dimensional analysis, statistical reasoning, and Euclidean geometry. This class focuses on quantitative literacy and the application of the above concepts in a variety of professional disciplines.

Examines more advanced elements of algebra emphasizing the use of algebra and functions in problem solving and modeling. Key topics include functions, inverse functions, complex numbers, rational functions, logarithms, exponential functions, conic sections, sequences and series. Graphing is by recognition and transformation rather than by plotting points.

Provides a foundation for understanding human relations with applications to both personal and professional growth. Focus is on examining the basic dynamics of human relations, how social influences shape thought and behavior, effective ways to develop skills of human relations, and the importance of multicultural competency within human relations.

Provides a foundation of knowledge in psychology examining key topics related to understanding human thoughts and behavior. Topics include an exploration of factors that influence thoughts and behavior, psychology as a science, sensation/perception, motivation, emotion, memory, cognition, personality, as well as key figures, research, and theories within psychology. Applying concepts to real-life settings is a focus throughout the course.

Prepares students to work effectively in groups. Students will collaborate to complete a group project and multiple presentations. Course content covers key concepts of group dynamics such as diversity, group roles, ethical issues, and conflict resolution. Students will hone group communication skills and effectively use technology to communicate with group members.

Practices individual formal presentations in a business context. The format includes a variety of speaking situations such as parliamentary procedure, briefings, sales, formal and informal discussions, and formal report presentations.

The General Studies program is an online program designed for the working professional who has significant work experience, previous college credit and desires to earn a bachelor's degree. An academic advisor and student work together to combine various disciplines resulting in an individualized plan of study based on past education, career goals, intellectual interests, or preparation for graduate education.

As a graduate of Baker College, you are eligible for our Lifetime Employment Services, which include:

Job searching techniques

Resume and cover letter assistance

Job interview questions

Job postings

Relocation tips

Is Baker College Online accredited?

Baker Online is part of Baker College, a private, non-profit, accredited, degree granting, higher educational institution with locations throughout Michigan.

As an accredited college, Baker College has been granted legal authority by the state of Michigan to operate as a nonprofit educational corporation and is empowered to grant certificates, associate, bachelor, master, and doctoral degrees. It is approved for veterans’ benefits. Baker College is recognized as an institution of higher education by the U.S. Secretary of Education, U.S. Department of Education.

After you enroll, and are accepted to your online program, you sign-up, or "register" for your first courses. Like all Baker Online students, you will begin your online experience with a three-week online class designed to orient you to the Baker Online classroom, and review the expectations and requirements of Baker Online students. When you have completed this course successfully, you can move on to additional online courses.